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Perhaps the reason for so many
blessing at nights is that darkness brings about an invaluable opportunity for
opening one’s heart to his Lord. Naturally, darkness acts as a cover between
human and his surroundings, and conceals his eyes. Therefore, a separation
occurs between human and this world, providing a relief and allowing him to supplicate
to his Lord with peace of mind.

Worshipping Allah (SWT) and
supplicating to Him at nights, especially in the last third of the night and
between dawn and sunrise, is extremely enjoyable to “godly men”.
Those who have been blessed with this opportunity and have tasted a drop from
this endless ocean, endeavor to stay on this path and invite others to join
them.

Thus, the worshipers take utmost
advantage of these hours. Not only the pious, but also Allah (SWT) has
emphasized the importance of these hours, as Imam Baqir (PBUH) has said:

“No drop is
more valuable to Allah (SWT) than a drop of tears that is shed at night out of
fear of Allah (SWT), and just for His sake(1)”.

Nevertheless, despite all this
indescribable joy, why is it that we often ignore this important opportunity?
Perhaps the following story could partially answer this question.

It is narrated about one of the
prominent scholars, who resided in Najaf, that:

One night when he got up for payer, he
woke up his young son and said to him,” Let us go to the shrine of Amir
al-Mu’minin (PBUH) for prayers”. The young boy who was not comfortable
getting up at that time of night, made an excuse and said,” I am not ready
at the moment. Please don’t wait for me. I’ll go later”. The scholar
replied, “No! I am standing right here till you get up and then we will go
together”. The son, who had no option, got up, performed ablutions, and
they went together.

When they arrived at the shrine of
Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH), they saw a needy person begging for money. The scholar
asked his son: “Why is this man sitting here in the middle of night?”
The son replied: “To beg people”. The scholar asked: “How much
is he likely to gain?” The son mentioned a very small amount. The scholar
then said, “Pay attention and see how this needy man has refused to sleep
and is out there, hoping that people might give him a very small amount of
money, which is even uncertain. Do you not have confidence in the promises of
your Lord to the worshippers at night as much as this man has confidence in
people’s willingness to donate? “

Imam Baqir (PBUH) has explained one of
such promises of Allah (SWT) as follows:” Allah (SWT) loves those who
supplicate a lot among his servants; so it is up to you to supplicate and pray
between dawn and sunrise, because that is when the doors of the heavens become
open, the sustenance of people is distributed, and great wishes are fulfilled
(2)”.

If we become certain only about this
one promise of Allah (SWT), would we not get out of our beds at night?

(The above is a selection
taken from “The Night of Godly Men”, by Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad
Dia’ Abadi, with some changes and additions)

The Roshd Website offers condolences to
all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon 7th of Dhi al-Hijjah, the
anniversary of the martyrdom of the heir of the knowledge of the Prophet of
Islam and the fifth Imam of the Shiites, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali al-Baqir (PBUH).